Screening Tools
A number of screening tools can be used in the ED and they are as follows:
- The CAGE questionnaire (Table 1)
- Similarly the Fast Alcohol Screening Test (FAST) screening tool is useful for ED settings (Table 2). This is a concise version of the AUDIT screening tool [5-7]
- The Paddington Alcohol Test (PAT) has also been shown to be a quick and easy method to identify hazardous drinkers in the ED [8]
Learning Bite
Screening questionnaire tools should be used to identify problem drinking in the ED
CAGE questionnaire (Table 1)
The CAGE questionnaire is a useful screening tool.
| C Have you ever felt the need to cut down your drinking? |
| A Have you ever felt annoyed by criticism of your drinking? |
| G Have you ever felt guilty about your drinking? |
| E Have you ever taken a drink (eye opener) first thing in the morning? |
Yes to two or more of the above suggests alcohol excess.
Fast Alcohol Screening Test (FAST)
